A Swedish Tourist “Detained” in Iran
The newspaper “Aftonbladet” has reported the detention of a Swedish tourist in Iran based on information it has received. The newspaper has linked this detention to “threats of abduction and detention” of Swedish citizens in Iran following the trial of Hamid Nouri.
The Swedish newspaper “Aftonbladet” has reported the detention of a Swedish man in Iran who had traveled to the country on a tourist trip along with other tourists from his country.
The newspaper has linked the detention of this man in his thirties to “threats of abduction and detention of Swedish citizens in connection with the trial of Hamid Nouri.”
Sweden’s prosecution office on Thursday, April 28 (May 19 in the Persian calendar), requested a life sentence for Nouri. The trial of Hamid Nouri in Sweden is ongoing in connection with his alleged participation in the execution of political prisoners in the summer of 1988 in Iran. The prosecutor has accused Nouri of “war crimes” and “intentional murder.”
After the life sentence request was announced, Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned its citizens about traveling to Iran.
The newspaper “Aftonbladet” writes that Sweden’s embassy in Tehran is in contact with local authorities to clarify the reasons for the detention of this tourist.
According to information obtained by this newspaper, the Swedish man was detained last week after he intended to leave the country following several days of sightseeing in Iran.
Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the detention of this man but has refrained from providing further information.
Hamid Nouri, former official at Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, was detained in Sweden in November 2019. “Aftonbladet” writes that Iran has requested through various channels that the Swedish government intervene and release Hamid Nouri.
According to an informed source, the Swedish government has told Iran that it has an independent judicial system and cannot release an accused person.
On April 3, coinciding with the final day of Hamid Nouri’s trial, Iran announced that it would execute Ahmadreza Jalali, a jailed Iranian-Swedish researcher, by the end of two weeks (end of April).
Jalali is accused of “espionage” for Israel, an accusation he has rejected, stating that his confessions were made under torture and coercion.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is accused of repeatedly imprisoning dual-national citizens over the past 40 years, most of whom had traveled to Iran at the official invitation of state institutions, on false charges, in order to use them as hostages for political extortion.
The prosecution of Hamid Nouri in Sweden could have serious consequences for other officials of the Islamic Republic who have been involved in human rights violations, massacres, and crimes over the past four decades.
Source: DW
